4 SCHOOLS, COLLEGE HIT
Cases in Perak being monitored
STUDENTS with influenza-like illnesses (ILI) have been reported in five schools in Perak, said Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.
The schools are SK Klebang Jaya, SM Tuanku Abdul Rahman, SM Raja Perempuan Taayah, Kolej Vokasional Slim River and SM Abdul Rahman Talib, Teluk Intan.
“The Health Ministry is monitoring the incidents closely in cooperation with the Perak Health Department.
“The ministry is implementing prevention and control measures to ensure it does not spread, including isolating symptomatic cases from healthy students,” he said yesterday.
Dr Hisham said the cases were mild and the students were given treatment.
Laboratory tests were conducted to determine the cause of the ILI cases.
“The Health Ministry urges the public not to panic as there are no unusual trends related to ILI cases detected in Malaysia.”
He urged the public to maintain good personal hygiene, frequently wash their hands with soap and water, practice good cough etiquette and lead a healthy lifestyle to curb the spread of influenza infections.
Those who showed ILI symptoms, he said, should rest at home and avoid crowded areas, while high-risk people should seek treatment at the nearest clinic.
“If a symptomatic person needs to leave the house, he must cover his nose and mouth with a mask.
“Risk groups are encouraged to get the influenza vaccine from private health facilities.”
Symptoms of ILI include cold or flu, sore throat and cough, headache, muscle and joint pain and fatigue.
He said as cold and flu were highly contagious, the spread occurred easily in schools, dormitories, workplaces, training institutions, as well as police and army camps.